Heater structure



M. A. MIERAS ETAL Aug. 8, 1950 HEATER STRUCTURE Filed May 19, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS MERRITT A.M|ERAS, BY'ALFRED EMILLINGTON WW W ATTORNEYS Aug. 8, 1950 M. A. MIERAS ETAL HEATER STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 19. 1947 II IU PH IJI Ii INVENTORS BY MERRITT A.MlER-AS W ALFRED F.MILLINGTON flMATTQRNEYs Aug. 8, 1950 A. MIERAS EI'AL HEITER STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 19, 1 947 Il /IA h INVENTORS MERRITT AQMIERAS BY ALFRED F.MILLINGTON W 761i M7Z-ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 8 1950 tom N01tthville, .Mich-., assigmors to;liioviali'quip men-t Gom-pany; Noni, Mich a corporation Michigan.

Application-May 19'; 1947, Serial NO. 749304 9- Claims. (Cl. 257-13.?

This; invention relates generally: to. vehicle,

heater: structures and. refers: morezaparticn'lariw to; hot water heatersfon motonvehicles;

One/of thee essenti'ait. objects. of: the; invention is=torprovide aheatersstructure. wherein a casing for-5 the: hot water core is: providedr 'at' each; end thereofit with. two. outlets'for the air that: has beena heated by: the cores One outlet. at: each end; openly discharges; endwise: firom the easing into.

theinteribrof the. vehicleawhilet the other outlet at each end is connected to a supply conduit. for; a: defroster for: the windshield. of: the vehicle. Inasmuch. as. the; heated. air is: discharged; from. opposite endszof' theicasin'g; the flow or distribu;.- tion. thereof will. be. initially toward; opposite vehicle and thence rear-weirdly: along: said oppoa site sides of. the passenger compartment to, the rear thereon. Thus. the. flow. of heated. air di rectlyi toward: or: against the occupants. of: the front seat. is. avoided; cold air drafts. from the. doors are. eliminated; anditlre distribution is; generally betterl When such heater structure is me stalled-l'ina two doon'orf'our door'sedan-type ofa automobile, the-heated air discharged. from the ends of the casing will also flow rearwardly past of with one or more restricted. slotspor openings. through which heated air in. restricted? quantities;

may be: discharged towardtonetormore occupants. of: the frontz seatt of the: automobile;

Another object is: to. provide a. heater strucs ture: wherein the hot water core aforesaid: comprisesruppen' and: lower horizontally: disposed: sectionsconnected together at one end by a short lengthof tubing, and is located within the cas in; below a suitable fresh airinlet-and -above. the four outlets, mentioned, so: thatthe airfrom the inlet is: thoroughly heated by both: sections of the core before being discharged through the outlets Another object is to provide a heater struc ture wherein the valve aforesaid mounted in such a way within the-casing for the hot water core that a restricted amount of heated air from the core 'is al'ways free to new through the open sides of the passenger compartment of the. motor 7 outlets'into;thegzinteriorof the vehicle regardiessz of ithe; position oi thelvaivel.

Another obj eciz is. to; pmvideaaheaten structure; wherein the; outlets; to the. defroster. conduits are not; only located where will; receive the.

heated: aiir from. the: care: when the. valve. afore;. said: is; in closed; position, but: are located. whene; they. can receive theain thati's. the hottest after: leaving the conez.

Another objectdsgto provide;aaheaterstruetuee.

that. simple; in. constmuction, economicali. to. manufacture. easy to; install, and. effici'ent operation...

Other. objects. advantages: and: novel, detailsof: construction of this. invention. will. be made more: apparent. as this description. proceeds,. especially.- when. considered inaconnection with the accome pan-ying: drawings, wherein:- 1

'Fig-.. 1 is a fragmentary: perspective, of; a. motor vehicle and. heater stnucture; embodying. our invention applied? thereto;

Fig. 2 is a. fragmentary vertical sectional; view through the dashboardof thesvehieleantb through: the heater structune carried; thereby, with pants. broken away and in section;

Fig. is. an.:elevati'onai view of; the; hot; water heating unit" parts; broken; away andin: sec.- tiom:

Fig.1 4 is. a. fragmentary? horizontal sectional; view; through the; dashhoardzof; the vehicle and: showing the: andzhot; waten heating unitwith portions of; the latter broken. away' and: 511i section;

Fig.2 5.. isza. vertical; sectional view through the; dashboardoithe vehicle andshowin-eportions ofl the heater' strnctinesupomopposite:sides; thereof: in. elevation. with pax-tszbnoken away; and

Fig. 6ris a perspective view ofi' the. cores Referring new. tothedrawingah; is thea. engin;e; compartment and. B2 is. the; passenger eoinparts, ment. of a. conventional-D impe of" automobile The heater structure embodying our: invention comprises. a hot. water unit- C; within the. passenger compartinenadefnosteis conduits D 012- thewindshielcl E oat-the passenger compartment, a. sirocco: or: centrifugal" type-blower 'F the. engine, compartment. and; discharging through the dash panel lzlir. of the? passengen compartment; to: the heating 1mit :C;.-a.hose or: conduitHa for conducting air. from. the; atmosphere. to: said; blower.

the heating: unit 0 upper: andlower: eoresections: Id; and; respectively con-x nected-ingether at one endlbwaitube t3 and form.- ing; a; horizontahy disposed substantially lat-l 3 shaped core. Preferably the tube I3 extends between suitable headers I4 and i5 at one end of the sections I! and [2. A hot Water supply tube [6 is connected to a header IT at the other end of the upper section I I, and a return tube I8 is connected to the header [9 at the other end of the lower section 12. A supply hose extends from the tube [6 to the head 2i of the internal combustion engine so that hot water from said engine will be conducted to the core, while a return hose 22 extends from the tube l8 to the usual connection 23 between the engine and radiator 24 of the vehicle. If desired, a valve 25'imay be included in the supply hose 2!] adjacent the point where it is connected to the head 2lof the engine to control the flow of hot Water from the engine to the core. Thus, in the summertime or during warm weather the valve 25 may be closed to out off entirely the supply of hot water to the core.

As usual, the sections l I and 12 of the core contain tubing 26 that extends longitudinally of said sections between the headersithereof and such tubing is provided with radiating fins. 26'.

. In the present instance thecore is Within a The upper chamber 3] .has an inlet 33 for air to be heated by thecore, and the lower chamber 32 has four outlets 34,. 34', and 36 respectively for heated air from the core. The inlet 33 is intermediate opposite ends of the upper chamber 3! and is supplied with air by'a tube 3'! extending through the dash from the blower F. The outlets 34 and 34' are located-at opposite ends of the chamber 32 and discharge openly into the passenger compartment, while'the outlets 35 and 35 are located at opposite ends of the chamber 32 beside the outlets 34 and: 34 and discharge into supply conduits D for defrosters D for the windshield. Preferably the: edges of-the outlets 34 and 34' are flared at 34"..to provide better diffusion of the heated airy. l .1

Extending lengthwise "of the lower chamber 32 of the casing is a pivotally. mounted flappertype valve 43 that is adapted to control the discharge of heated air from the outletsi3-4',ii34', Y35 and 36 respectively. Preferablythe pivot'4l for the valve r 40 is spaced a predetermined; distance. laterally from and is substantially parallel toithe front wall 42 of the casing so that heated air from the" core is free to ifio'wdownwardly through the restricted space 43 to the outlets 34 and 34' when the valve 46 is in' closed position. As shown, this restricted space 43 extends throughout substantially the entire length of the casing. The pivot M for the valve is mounted to turn in the. end walls of the casing and is provided outside said casing with a crank arm 44 which is adapted to be actuated 'by'a conventional push-pull control wire 45 from the dash or instrument panel of the automobile. Any suitable flexible cable such as 46 clamped at 41? to the casing 39 may be employed as a protecting sleeve for said wire 45. As shown, the valve 40 is movable from an open position substantially parallel to the front wall 42 of the casing to a closed position against an inwardly extending portion 48 0f .therear wall of said casing, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 5.5

When the valve 40 is in its open position the heated air from the core is free to flow downwardly'in front and-in rear of the pivot 4! through the outlets 34 and 34' into the passenger compartment of the vehicle, while a small quantity of such heated air will also pass through the outlets 35 and 36 to the defroster conduits D for the windshield. However, when the valve 40 is closed, a small quantity of heated air from the core is free to flow downwardly in the restricted space 43 in front of the pivot 4| and thence through the outlets 34 and 34 to the passenger compartment, while the vast remainder of the heated air from the core will pass through the outlets 35 and 36 to the defroster conduits for the windshield. Thus, the single valve 43 controls the flow of heated air through the four outlets 34, 34', 35 and 36 respectively. By referring to Fig. 2 it will be noted that the bottom of the casing is closed by a channel strip 50 that straddles and is spot welded to opposite sides of the lower end portion of the casing. However, if desired, this strip may be provided intermediate its ends with one or more restricted slots or openings 50 through which heated air in restricted quantities may be discharged toward one or more occupants of the front seat of the automobile.

The sirocco or centrifugal blower F may be any suitable design and is operated by an electric motor which is in circuit with the electrical wiring system of the automobile and may be under the control of a suitable electric switch (not shown) which may be conveniently located on the dash or instrument panel of the automobile.

The hose or conduit H for supplying air from the atmosphere to the blower F extends longitudinally of the engine compartment A at one side thereof and is preferably supported by suit-' able brackets 6| projectinglaterally inward from the adjacent upright side panel (not shown) of the engine compartment. Preferably the forward end portion 63 of the hose H extends over and downwardly in front of the radiator 24 of the automobile so as to receive air after it passes through the protecting grille 65 for the radiator. However, if desired, said forward end portion 63 of the hose may extend through the usual closure plate (not shown) between the grille 65 and radiator 24.

-Thus, from the foregoing, it'will be apparent that the casing for theihot water core is provided at each end thereof with two outlets for the air that has been heated by the core. One outlet at each end openly discharges endwise from the casing into the interior of the vehicle, while the other outlet at each end is connected to a supply conduit for a defroster for the windshield. Inasmuch as the heated air is discharged from opposite ends of the casing; the flow or distribution thereof will be initially toward opposite sides of the passenger compartment of the vehicle and thence rearwardly along opposite sides of the vehicle to the rear thereof. Thus the flow of heated air directly toward or against the occupants of the front seat is avoided; cold air drafts from the doors are eliminated; and the distribution is generally better. When such heater structure is installed in a two door or four door sedan type of automobile, the heated air discharged from the ends of 'thegcasing will also flow rearwardly past opposite ends of the front seat The valve 40 is,

to the rear of the automobile. operable to substantially cut off the discharge of heated air from theopen outlets 34 and 34 and simultaneously to divertsuch heatedair to the supply conduits forthe defrosters for the windshield. 'The valve 40 is also-mounted in such a. 0 way that a restricted amount of heated air from" the core is always free to new downward-1y through the restricted: Space 43 and thence through theopen outlets 3-4 and 34 into the interior o'f t'h'e vehicle regardless of" the position of thevalve l What we claim as our invention is:

1'. heater structure for a motor vehicle, com-- plisi'ng a casing-having ani'nietfor airadjace'nt the top thereof and having-two outlets for air atone end. thereot adj acent the bottom thereof, one of said outlets being adapted to discharge endwise from said casing into a passenger com par-tmen'toi the motor vehicle, a conduit for conflicting-heated: from the other of said outcame. windshield of themotor vehicle, means:

within said casing between said: inlet and said outiets ror heating air from-said inlet, and means"- within said casing forcontrolling the. discharge. of heated-air from said outlets, including; a.

pivoted valveextending lengthwise of. said: casing and engage'abl'e. withon'e side wall of the casing. to: substantially cut oft the. discharge of. heated airthrough: one. offs-aidzoutlets. and simultaneous to divert heat'ed' airto theotherof said. outlets; the. pivot for said: valve: being. spaced from and substantially parallel to; the opposite. side wall of said casing so that a. restricted space is provided; throughout. substantially the entire length. of? the: casing. through which heated air is always free to pass to said one outlet.

2. A heater structure for a motor vehicle, comprising a casing. having an inlet for air adjacent the top thereof and having four outletsfor air adjacent the bottom thereof, two of said outlets being located one above the other at one end of said: casing, and the other two being located oneabove the other at thelopposite end of said casing, means. within. said. casing. between said i at andsaid outlets. for heating air from said inlet, the lowermost of. said. outlets. being adapted to discharge-into. the, interior or the motor. yehicle, means for conducting heated air from the uppermost of said outlets to a windshield of the vehicle, and a pivotally mounted flapper type valve extending lengthwise of said casing and engageable with one side wall of the casing to substantially cut oil the discharge of heated air from the lowermost of said outlets and simultaneously to divert heated air through the uppermost of said outlets, the pivot for said valve being at one edge thereof and spaced from and substantially parallel to the opposite side wall of said casing whereby a restricted space is provided throughout substantially the entire length of the casing through which heated air is free to pass continuously to the lowermost of said outlets.

3. A heater structure for a motor vehicle,

comprising a casing having an inlet for air adjacent the top thereof and having four outlets for air adjacent the bottom thereof, two of said outlets being located one above the other at one end of said casing, and the other two being located one above the other at the opposite end of said casing, the lowermost of said outlets being adapted to discharge directly into the interior of a motor vehicle, means for conducting heated air from the uppermost of said outlets to a windshield of the vehicle, means within said casing between said inlet and said outlets for heating air from said inlet, and a pivotally mounted flapper type valve extending lengthwise of said casing and operable in one position to substantially cut off the discharge of heated air through the lowermost of said outlets and simultaneously to divert heated air through the uppermost of said outlets.

heater structure for a motor: vehicle, comprising a casing having an inlet for air aidjacent the top thereof: and having adjacent. the

bottom thcreof an: outlet-through:- which air may be discharged into a passenger compartment of said vehicle, said outlet being. at one end of and discharging'endwise from-saidcasing, a hotwater. care within said casing between said inlet, and outlet for heating air from said! inlet, said casing 1, having twov other outlets through which. heated air is di'scharged to defroster conduits for awindshield for: said vehicle, and: means within said casing for controlling the discharge of heated air'irom the three outlets aforesaid, including a single pivotally'mountedvalve. movableto' a position to substantially cut. off the discharge of.

heated; air through. the first mentioned; outlet andoperable in said position to divert; heated air to the last mentioned two outlets.

5. A. heater structure for; a motor vehicle, comprising: a casing; having: an inlet for air adjacentth-e top thereof and: having adjacent the. bottom thereof an outlet through which air may bedi-scharged: into; a passenger compartment of, said.vehicle',.said; outletbeing. at one end, of and discharging endwise from said casing, a. hotwater core within said. casing between said inlet and? outlet for. heating air received from, said inlet,-. said. casing: also:- having two other outlets through, which heated air is discharged to defroster-conduits forawindshield for said vehicle,

and meansxwithin said casing.- for controlling the discharge or. heated. air from. the three outlets aforesaid, including a single pivotally mounted valve: extending lengthwise. of said casing and from and:substantiallyparallelto a side wall of;

said casing; so. that a restricted space is constantly provided between said wall and said pivot throughout substantially the entire length of said casing through which heated air is always free to pass to said first mentioned outlet.

6. A heater structure for a motor vehicle, comprising a hot water core, a casing for said core provided above afidfieloiy the same with chambers for air, the upper chamber having an inlet for air to be heated by said core, opposite ends of the lower chamber having outlets for air heated by said core and discharging endwise toward opposite sides of a passenger compartment, one outlet at each end, and means controlling the discharge of heated air from said outlets, consisting of a single pivoted valve extending lengthwise of said lower chamber and engageable with one side wall of said lower chamber to substantially cut off the discharge of heated air from said outlets, the pivot for said valve being spaced from and substantially :parallel to the opposite side wall of said lower chamber to provide a restricted space extending throughout substantially the entire length of said lower chamber through which heated air is free to pass constantly to said outlets.

'7. A heater structure for a motor vehicle, comprising a hot water core, a casing enclosing said core and provided above and below the same with chambers for air, the upper chamber having an inlet for air to be heated by said core, the lower chamber havin four outlets for air heated by said core, two of said outlets being in and discharging endwise from opposed end walls of said lower chamber to supply heated air toward opposite sides of a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, the other two outlets being in said opposed end Walls beside the first two outlets, means for conducting heated air from said other two outlets to a windshield of the motor vehicle, and a single pivoted valve extending lengthwise of said lower chamber and engageable with one side wall of said lower chamber to substantially cut off the discharge of heated air from said first mentioned two outlets and simultaneously to divert heated air to said other two outlets, the pivot for said valve being spaced from and substantially parallel to the opposite side Wall of said lower chamber to provide a restricted space extending throughout substantially the entire length of said lower chamber through which heated air is free to pass constantly to said first mentioned two out lets. i

8. A heater structure for a motor vehicle, comprising a hot water core, a casing enclosing said core and providing above and below the same with chambers for air, the upper chamber having I an inlet for air to be heated by said core, the lower chamber having four outlets for air heated by said core, two of said outlets being in upposed end walls of said lower chamber to supply heated air to the interior of a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, the other two outlets being in said opposed end walls. above the first two outlets and adapted to be connected to windshield defroster conduits, and a single pivoted valve extending lengthwise of said lower chamber adjacent one side wall thereof and engageable with the opposite side wall of said lower chamber to substantially cut off the discharge of heated air from said first mentioned two outlets and simultaneously to divert heated air to said other two' outlets. L a

9. A heater structure for a motor vehicle, comprising an elongated-casing having an inlet for air adjacent the top thereof and having two outlets for air adjacent the bottom thereof, said two outlets being located one above the other at one end of said casing, the lowermost of said outlets being adapted to discharge into a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, means for conducting heated air from the uppermost of said outlets to a windshield of the motor vehicle, means within said casing between said inlet and said outlets for heating air from said inlet, and means within said casing for controlling the discharge of heated air from said outlets, consisting of a single pivoted substantially fiat elongated valve extending lengthwise of said casing, said valve being swingable from one side to the other of said casing and engageable with one side wall of said casing to substantially cut off the discharge of heated air through the lowermost of said outlets and simultaneously to divert heated air to the uppermost of said outlets, said valve being pivoted along an axis parallel to but slightly spaced from the opposite side wall of the casing to provide a small opening throughout substantially the entire length of the casin through which heated air is always free to pass to the lowermost of said outlets regardless of whether said valve is in engagement with said one side wall of the casing.

MERRITI A. MIERAS. ALFRED F. MILLINGTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

